Traverse crane



July 25, 1950 F. W. STEINMEYER TRAVERSE CRANE Filed Dec. 5, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mil 0 I 1 ll II I n O I l I IN V EN TOR. FRED. W STE! NM EVER BY ATTORNEYS July 25, 1950 F. w. STEINMEYER 2,516,490

TRAVERSE CRANE Filed Dec. 5, 1944- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 is E g 5 INVENTOR.

FRED. W- STEINMEYER ATTORNEYS Patented July 25, 1950 TRAVERSE CRANE Frederick W. Steinmeyer, Oakland, Calif.

Application December 5, 1944, Serial No. 566,757

4 Claims.

The presentinvention relates to improvements in a traverse crane, and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described'ancl claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a traverse crane that is slid-ably mounted on a window frame, the crane supporting a curtain or drapes and being movable laterally for exposing any portion of the window desired. This permits the drapes or curtains to be movedaway from a position in front of the window so as to permit the entrance of sunlight into theroom or it will permit a person to have an unobstructed view through the window. I am aware of curtains and drapes which may be moved along a stationary supporting rod, but my invention contemplates the moving of the traverse crane with the curtain or drape asaunit.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described in which pull cords may be used for moving the two traverse cranes into the proper position with respect to the window. The crane may be supported at any desired position so that a small portion or the entire window may be uncovered. The device is simple in construction and durable and efficient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appearin the following specification, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a window frame showing my device operatively applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the window showing one of the traverse cranes in position;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the traverse crane and illustrates the manner of support;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken along the line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 but shows a modified form of the traverse crane;

Figure 6 is a front elevation of one of the traverse cranes shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the traverse crane shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is an end view of Figure 7 but looking in the direction of the arrows 9-9.

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In carrying out my invention I make use of a window indicated diagrammatically at A in Figure 1. Brackets B and B are placed at the sides of the window. The brackets are U-shaped, see Figures 1 and 3, and are secured to the wall or window frame by screws I or other suitable fastenin means. I do not wish to be confined to the particular size or shape of the bracket. Each bracket carries a plurality of idler supporting wheels 2. I have shown two of the wheels-mounted above a traverse crane C and one wheel mounted below the crane. Figure 1 shows the wheels 2 as having. rims 3 that overlie the top and bottom edges 4 of the traverse crane. In this way the traverse crane is held in a horizontal position but may be moved in the directionof its length as indicated by the broken lines in Figure 3.

Each traverse crane C has a web or flange 5 projecting outwardly from the outer face of the base portion. The crane is L-shaped and the web has openings 6 therein for receiving supporting eyes 'l-that carry a drape 8. The drape 8 is gathered into loops 9 to form a pleasing appearance. The bracket and crane are strong enough to support the drape. There are two traverse cranes'C for each window and they may be moved with respect to their supporting rollers or wheels 2 and will remain in adjusted position. The adjustment may be made by hand if desired or pull cords may be used.

In Figures 1 and 2 I show the traverse cranes C provided with lugs III to which pull cords H are attached. Each cord is passed :over a pulley wheel l'2 which in turn, is rotatably carried by the bracket B or B. The free end of each pull cord is provided with a ring IS. A second pull cord 14 is attached to the L-shaped portion of each crane and is passed over a second idler pulley l5. The free end of each cord H has a ring IS. A pulling of the rings I3 will move the traverse cranes so as to carry the drapes s away from a position in front of the window. A return movement of the cranes and drapes is effected by pulling the rings l6. Figure 4 shows the bracket B and illustrates how the wheels 2 with their rims 3 engage with the base of the traverse crane C. The flange 5 extends between the rims 3 of the upper and lower wheels and if desired the rims may ride on the faces of the flange.

In Figures 5 to 9 inclusive I show a slightly modified form of the invention. Here the window is indicated generally at D and the traverse cranes E are carried by wheels I! that are similar to the wheels 2. Figure '7 shows the crane E provided with means for supporting a curtain rod i8. This means may include eye pieces l9 and 20 placed at the ends of the crane E and shown in detail in Figure 9. A hook 2| extends from the bend in the crane E and is designed to underlie the bend in the curtain rod [8.

A curtain 22 hangs' from their-M1158. II desired, an ornamental piece 23 may han in front of the curtain and adjacent to the top. This ornamental piece may be supported by hooks 24, see Figure 8, that are placed over the cuntainzsrbd l-8. The ornament 23 may takehthe shape desired, as for example, the shape showninFigure 6. s

The operation of this form of the device is identical to that of the, form shown in"'Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. The Wheels H are supported by brackets which are similar to the brackets B *andr 'B' and -are secured :to 'ithe -lwi'ndow frame. "Draw cords 2 and -28 are pass'ed over pulleys-21 and 28 and may be actuated for moving the cranes horizontal plane and being contacted by the supporting means; and a Window covering material carried by the web at a point where it is clear of the crane-supporting means; whereby the 5 crane and window covering material can be freely adjusted laterally as a unit to cover a desired portion of the window or expose the window.

3. In a device of the type described, a laterally adjustable crane, T-shaped in. cross. section;

l0.-; means;for3slidably supportinghthe craneeadjacent to a window, the crane having a Web portion paralleling the plane of the window and being spaced therefrom and slidably supported by the .;.:crane;supporting means, one end of the crane l5 beingvcurved toward the wall surrounding the window; and a window covering material carried =byethercranerand -extending around the curved portion of the crane supporting means; whereby the crane and windowlcovering material can be freely adjusted laterally as a unit to cover a, de-

si-ried pcrtion or the zwindow cr expose theiwindow. i-s m al clevice ofithe type described; a laterally adjustable:x-eranaf' r shaped in cross .ase'ction; means for slidably supporting theuweb 1 portion :Errom a positionlin trontcfzthelwindow toa posicr me -crane; adjacentntov' a window-, af'window tron-alongside; crrthe window or anyk'otner'pcsition intermediatei these: Itwo fiextreme' posrtions. "f If desiredsthe' "curtainszzmz'mayvibe nem iaaclrfibma 'iloop 29-3120 expose'a' lowei portion 'oftthe window,

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